Pokémon Shuffle announced as the next free-to-play game from Nintendo

Announced today on Nintendo Direct, Nintendo will be releasing a new free-to-download puzzle game for the Nintendo 3DS called Pokémon Shuffle, due to be released on the handheld console in February.

Similar to popular games Candy Crush Saga and Bejewelled, players must line up three or more of the same Pokémon sprites to clear and complete each stage using a limited number of moves. For the added Pokémon spin, dealing damage to other Pokémon using Mega Evolutions of Pokémon and collecting many Pokémon types will help players to battle more successfully.

Players begin the game with five Hearts, using a Heart to play each stage, limiting the number of times a player can battle. A player can run out of Hearts but these do regenerate over time, can be replenished with the use of in-game items won through gameplay or can be purchased through the eShop.

Catching Pokémon has never been easier – check out more gameplay in this video from The Official Pokémon Channel.